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For those who putter in a garden filled with annuals and perennials, wandering into the world of rock gardening is like comparing a stroll in the park to a hike in the mountains. While common names like foxglove or forget-me-not may be everyday vocabulary to gardeners, the dedicated rock gardener employs lists of botanical terms, making the transition somewhat confusing. Given time and practice, you too will learn these terms.
Rock gardeners are drawn from a broad population and band together only to indulge in a single grand passion--high altitude beauties called alpine plants. Once you see rock gardens-from three specimens to 300-you'll be charmed by alpines, whose vigor and grace often are overlooked for showier plants.
Alpines command a tundra world inhospitable to fancier fare. Over time, alpines have evolved to enjoy the fleeting summers of the mountains. Long before any other flowering plant makes an entrance, alpines show up for the party. Alpines extend the season on both ends. They bloom earlier, get snowed on and love it. And then they're great in the fall, too. Grown for their foliage, the doldrums in the rock garden are never like other gardens. Alpines never get frumpy and frowsy. These little cushions and mat plants make wonderful architectural structures.
For information on conifers for troughs and rock gardens, please click here
Ajuga tenorii 'Emerald Chip'
Category: Groundcovers
Embellished with blue pagodas, this viridescent Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' sport hosts a refined, low-to-the-ground emerald green carpet of small, narrow foliage. 'Emerald Chip' makes a tidy, vibrant understory for Physocarpus 'Summer Wine's lavish crimson-red leaves. Zone 4.
Blooms March-mid-May.
Size: 3"-6" high x 12" & spreading
Aloinopsis spathulata (Hardy Living Stone)
Category: Groundcovers, Cactus and Succulents
This unique plant slowly grows to form a tight evergreen mat of blue-gray clam-shaped leaves. The huge shimmering pink daisies poke up just above the foliage in early spring. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. Sun to Partial Shade Zones 5-9
Height: under 6 in. (15 cm) Spacing: 3-6 in. (7-15 cm) 6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Androsace lanuginosa (Rock Jasmine)
Category: Alpines and Rock Gardens, Perennials
A summer-flowering trailing species, with evergreen, velvet/fuzzy-textured leaves and umbels of pale pink flowers. 3-4". Full Sun to Partial Shade Zone 4
Height: under 6 in. (15 cm) Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm) 15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements:
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
Anemone multifida v. globosa
Category: Perennials
Bright rosy red flowers emerge late spring to early summer. Full Sun Zone 3
Height: 6 in. (15-30 cm) Spacing: 9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: normal to clay
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Antennaria 'McClintock' (Pussytoes)
Category: Groundcovers
This Pussytoes groundcover is a very hardy, extremely low growing (only reaching 2 inches tall) dwarf variety. The tiny Wyoming native has evergreen leaves and stems that inch slowly over rocks and ground to form a miniature gray carpet. "McClintock" produces very few flowers and keeps its tidy look year-round. It can be used like Thyme to plant between flagstone and pavers or under pines to cover ground in dry partial shade. Evergreen foliage! 'McClintock' is very dependable and drought tolerant. Zone 4
Height: 2 inches
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Average to sandy garden soil
Arenaria 'Wallowa Mtn' (Sandwort)
Category: Alpine and Rock Garden
Tight rich-green cushions with tiny white flowers. An intriguing Oregon native. Zone 5
Height: 2 in. Spacing: 12 in.
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil requirements: Needs good drainage
Asarum europeum (European Ginger)
Category: Groundcovers
This species spread slowly but surely to form a handsome 6in-deep carpet of glossy, dark green, kidney-shaped leaves measuring 4in across. It offers the perfect setting for the bright spring blooms of Dicentra and Tiarella. Plants are evergreen where winters are not too harsh. Zone 5
Height: to 6 in. Spacing: 3-6 in. Partial to Full Shade
Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Soil requirements: Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Aster alpinus
Category: Alpines and Rock Gardens, Perennials
Bloom color - violet/lavender. Blooms in late spring/early summer or occasionally, midsummer. It is herbaceous and attractive to bees, butterflies, and/or birds. Does better in generally cooler climates. Zone 3
Height: 4-8 in. Spacing: 15-18 in.
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Soil requirements: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Bolax glebaria (Plastic Plant)
Category: Alpine and Rock Gardens, Groundcovers
Looks like the commercial plastic turfgrass. Small, shiny, dark green, downward curving leaves set in congested rosettes. An evergreen perennial from the Falkland Islands, Astroturf loves warm weather but is hardy to Zone 4. Perfect for rock gardens, mini meadows, all season ground cover or as Bonsai companion plant.
Height: 1 in.
Sun exposure: Prefers sun to partial shade
Soil requirements: Well drained soil with some grit, fine gravel or sand mixed in and a slightly alkaline pH.
Delosperma basuticum (Hardy Ice Plant)
Category: Alpines and Rock Gardens, Cactus and Succulents
Amazingly drought tolerant these little mesembs will tolerate hot and dry sites that would fry most other plants and still flower like mad. Many are surprisingly cold tolerant although they do tend to melt in wet spring weather. Delosperma will also self-sow in the garden and any surviving scraps quickly grow back to form a good-sized plant in a single season. Yellow flower with white eye. Zone 5
Height: 1 in. Spacing: 12-15 in.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to part shade
Soil requirements: Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Delosperma 'Red Mountain' (Hardy Ice Plant)
Category: Alpines and Rock Gardens, Perennials, Cactus and Succulents
Glowing burnished red carpet of flowers from April to September, span the growing season. Zone 5
Height: 2 in. Spacing: 18 in.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil requirements: This introduction performs best in with moderate to xeric moisture. Not picky about soil types as long as they are well drained.
Delosperma sphalmanthoides (Tufted Ice Plant)
Category: Alpines and Rock Gardens, Perennials, Cactus and Succulents
Tiny, fingerlike leaves grow in a tight mat that is smothered with fuschia flowers in very early spring. Zone 5
Height: 1 in. Spacing: 8-12 in. 6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to partial shade
Soil requirements: Average to Sandy Garden Soil
Moisture Xeric, Water regularly; do not overwater
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Dianthus freynii
Category:Alpines, Rock Gardens, Perennials
Height: under 6 in., Spacing: 6-9 in.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid Summer (pink)
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Dianthus petraeus subsp. noeanus
Category: Alpines, Perennials
Midsummer - intensely fragrant, snow white, frilly flowers with toothed petals, borne singly on upright stems. It makes mats of narrow, pointed, rather stiff leaves, green, but slightly glaucous. Zone 4 (5)
Size: 6" x 10"
Sun Exposure: Sun to part shade
Draba alpina v. glacialis (Alpine Rockcress Draba)
Category: Alpines, Rock Gardens
Bright yellow flowers over tightly packed mounds of hairy rosettes. Norway, Russia
Height: 3-4"
Exposure: Full sun
Draba dedeana
Category: Alpines, Rock Gardens
Dense cushions of tightly stacked deep green rosettes adorned in spring with a crown of short-stemmed white jewels. Spain, in moist shady places.
Size: H 3", W 4"
Exposure: Full sun
Dryas octopetala (Mountain Avens)
Category: Alpine, Rock Gardens, Ground covers
Mats of dark green scalloped oval leaves with a white hairy reverse and creamy white solitary flowers centered with a tuft of golden stamens followed by attractive long-plumed seedheads. An arctic-alpine flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is a small prostrate evergreen subshrub forming large colonies, and is a popular flower in rock gardens. The specific epithet octopetala derives from the Greek octo (eight) and petalon (petal), referring to the eight petals of the flower, an unusual number in the Rosaceae, where five is the normal number. However flowers with up to 16 petals also occur naturally. Dryas octopetala has a widespread occurrence throughout mountainous areas where it is generally restricted to limestone outcrops. Zone 1
Water use: Low to moderate; needs good drainage.
Light: Full sun.
Size: Plant grows about 3" tall and slowly spreads. Flowers and seedheads are held about 6 to 10 inches above the foliage.
Plant habit: Very low, spreading groundcover. It retains its leaves in the winter, but they often blacken.
Native range: Found in northern arctic regions; native in Washington state.
Ephedra regeliana (Joint Fir)
Category: Groundcover, Alpines and Rock Gardens
Prehistoric and rare conifer relative, nearly leafless. Good ground cover type with red cones. Drought tolerant, provides winter interest. Zone 4 (5)
Size: H 3-6", W 15 - 18"
Erigeron compositus 'Pink'
Category: Perennial, Rock Gardens
Pale lavender daisies on short stems nearly hide the nice compact cushions of dark green leaves. Zone 3
Size: H 2", W 5"
Exposure: Full sun
Erigeron montanensis
Category: Troughs, Rock Gardens, Alpine
Sweet frilly white petals surround large yellow centers over tight buns of miniature narrow gray-green foliage. A nice compact species with beautiful, tight foliage
Does not mind a lot of wet weather. Zone 3
Size: H 1", W 3"
Exposure: Full sun
Erigeron scopalinus
Category: Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Alpines
A small, creeping evergreen species for a moist soil, covered by a drift of white daisies in spring. Zone 4
Size: H 1", W 10"
Gentiana parryi x septemfida
Category: Alpines, Rock Gardens
An essential gentian for the rock garden with clumps of glossy green leaves on arching stems with terminal clusters of bright blue flowers in summer. Asia Zone 3
Size: H 8", W 12"
Exposure: Full to part sun
Geranium sanquineum 'Nanum'
Category: Perennials, Rock Gardens
Low compact mounds of finely cut foliage and pretty cerise flowers with dark veins that guide bees & butterflies to their nectar source. Zone 4
Size: H 6", W 12"
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Iris cristata
Category: Alpines, Rock Gardens, Perennials
Shade tolerant iris growing to only 6". Usually blue flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. Zone 3
Size: H 6", W 8"
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Jovibarba hirta subsp arenarium
Category: Troughs, Rock Gardens, Alpines
Among the tiniest of the Hen and Chicks, with lively green rosettes. Ideal for troughs, bonsai accent, rock gardens or crevices, and model railroads. Zone 4
Size: H ¼ ", W ¾"
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Needs well drained site
Lewisia cotyledon 'Rainbow' (Regenbogen)
Category: Troughs, Rock gardens, Alpines
Flowers in enchanting shades of bright pink-salmon and yellow flaunt themselves in spring over flat, succulent-looking rosettes. Zone 5
Size: H 6", W 8"
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Must have sharp drainiage in scree or slope and be protected from winter wet
Lewisia longipetala (Bitter Root)
Category: Troughs, Rock Gardens, Alpines
A charming little plant preferring to be dry, with white-soft pink flowers with interesting details over rosettes of fleshy linear leaves. The whole plant is fragrant. Zone 5
Size: H 4", W 6"
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Must have sharp drainage in scree or on a slope and be protected from winter wet.
Orostachys spinosa (Dunce Caps)
Category: Troughs, Rock Gardens, Alpines
Low globose gray-green rosettes have a fascinating symmetry. Small insignificant yellow flowers are produced after about 5 years when centers swell into upside down cones. Siberia, Asia Zone 5
Size: H 1", W 4"
Exposure: Full sun
Penstemon daividsonii v. davidsonii
Category: Rock Gardens, Alpines
Large lavender-blue flowers grace compact evergreen mats of pale green egg-shaped leaves. nw USA. Zone 4
Size: H 3", W 6"
Exposure: Full sun to Part shade
Soil: Well drained, not too particular!
Saxifraga paniculata 'Millstream'
Category: Groundcover, Rock Garden, Alpines
Mats of gray-green minute rosettes decorated with a blizzard of white flowers in spring. One of the tiniest saxafragas. Zone 5
Size: H 1/2", W 6"
Exposure: Full sun to Part shade
Sedum album 'Chloroticum'
Category: Ground Cover, Rock Gardens, Alpines
Very pale green leaves, decorative miniature foliage, white flowers. Zone 4
Size: H 3", W 12"
Exposure: Full sun
Sedum album 'Murale'
Category: Ground cover, Rock Garden, Alpines
Very light pink flowers on a selection known for its red foliage during periods of cold or stress. Zone 5
Size: H 4", W 12"
Exposure: Full sun
Sedum floriferum 'Green Spice'
Category: Ground cover, Rock Gardens, Alpines
Dark, needle-like leaves, yellow flowers. Zone 4
Size: H 3-4", W 12"
Exposure: Full sun
Silene acaulis (Moss Campion)
Category: Ground Cover, Alpines, Rock Gardens
This exquisite gem should be in every rock garden. Mats of tiny deep green needle-like leaves are smothered beneath pretty pink flowers in spring. A choice circumpolar alpine, on dry tundra. Zone 5
Size: H 1", W 8"
Exposure: Full sun
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